Universal joint.



C. L.'NEDOMA.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I5. 19's.

Patented May 22, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1- INVENTOR Arron/m9 CHARLES Il- NEDOMA, OF DETROIT, MICHIG.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 22, 1917.

Original application filed March 17, 1916, Serial No. 84,769. Divided and this application filed July 15,

p 1916. Serial No. 109,425.

least one of the three or more main members involved (that is, the driving, the driven,

or the connecting member) in a' plurality of parts to allow the joint to be assembled; this construction has been the source of weaknesses and of relatively high manufacturing cost. It has also given rise to diffitclulties in lubrication and 1n the exclusion of ust.

The present invention aims to overcome the several objections mentioned, and is concerned with a universal joint wherein neither of the three main members mentioned is split, but in which each, on the contrary, is integral throughout; and it consists in an improved processor mode of operation whereby the joint is formed.

This application is a division of my prior application Serial Number 84,7 69, filed March 17th, 1916.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one embodiment of the invention showing the three main members cast in one solid piece. Fig. 2 is a central transverse section through the finished joint. Fig. 3 isa side elevation, parts be ing broken away. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section showing the manner in which the casting is cut to separate the parts. Fig. 5 is a perspective view, corresponding to Fig. 40 1, showing another embodiment. Fig. 6 is a central transverse section through the finished joint corresponding thereto. Fig. 7

is a fragmentary section showing a modified bearing. Fig. 8 is a similar view of a see- 45 0nd modification. Fig. 9 is an elevation showing a form of joint in which the pivots are ofiset longitudinally from one another.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

50 .What may be regarded as the initial step in the manufacture of the improved joint shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, is the formation in one solid' piece of a casting (F1g. 1) whichincludes a portion 1, correspondlng to the driving (or driven) member, a por-;

tion 2, corresponding to the driven (or driving) member,.together with a ring-like portion by which the divided-ends 4 and 5, re spectively, of the members 1 and 2 are joined. In order to save material, the ring portion may be bossed opposite the divided ends of the members 1+2, as indicated at 6, and the bosses may be joined by elements 8 of less cross section; but, while this construction is preferable, it is obvious that the form may be changed within widelimits.

The casting is next secured in a suitable miller orother machine equipped with one or more cutters of proper shape whereby annular chambers 10 are formed (Fig. 4), oo-axial with the corresponding ends of the members l2, that is, at right angles to said members. It will be noticed that the parts are of such sliape as to leave annular shoulders 12 and 13, respectively, in the ends 4 5 and the member 6-8 at thebase of the chambers 10 when the tool breaks through and severs the connection between the ring from the other members. ends 4-,-5 are then cut down to the dashed line in Fig. 4, although the latterstep might be avoided by initially forming the central portion of the boss with a depression, as is obvious.

The members 1, 2 may next be deflected laterally somewhat to allow passages 16 to be drilled longitudinally through the portions 8 of the connector, and the outer ends of the bosses 6 are internally threaded at 18, after which tubular bushings 19 having annular out-turned flanges 20' at their inner ends are inserted into the chambers 10 until the flanges seat upon the shoulders 1213. These bushings have a drive fit with the corresponding ends 4, 5 of the members 1-2, but enough clearance is allowed between the flanges 20 and the connector 6-8 to insure free turning. Outside of the bushings 19, other bushings 22, preferably of diflerent metal, that have a drive fit with the connector 6-8, are insertedthus the turningtakes place at the meeting faces of the bushings. The bushings are drilled or cut through at 23 to aiford communication with the passages 16, and the bosses are finally closed by screw plugs 24 that may be socketed at 25 to receive the end of an appropriate turning tool, one or more of the plugs being preferably provided with a smaller plug 26 to forman opening through The projecting which the passages 16 in the connectors and the chambers 27 beneath the plugs may be filled with lubricating oil.

The invention is also applicable to joints wherein the connector is of the form of a cross rather than a ring. Thus (Figs. 5 and 6) the divided ends 3031, respectively, of the driving and driven members 32-33 may be bossed at 3435, and may be connected by the cross or spider having four arms 36, it being understood that the parts are cast integrally. The members are then separated by cutting, bushings 19-22 are inserted, and the holes are closed by plugs 24, as before. In this instance, however, the diagonal oil passages 16 are replaced by radial passages 38 which may be drilled or formed by cores.

As indicated in Fig. 7, rings 40, split at 41 and inset into suitable grooves in the bosses 3435, may retain the bushings in place, while spring diaphragms or disks 42, the edges of which are also received in grooves in said ends, may prevent the escape of oil. In

some cases single bushings 44 (Fig. 8), preferably having a driving fit on the arms 36, may be used in lieu of the two bushings 1922. While it is preferred to arrange the pivots in a single plane transversely of the main members, it is clear that they may be removed from one another. Thus (Fig. 9) the arms 46 of the connecting member 47 are ofi'set from the arms 48 which stand at right angles thereto, and they may even be separated far enough to render the longitudinal dimension of the connecting member much greater than the maximum transverse dimensionthe details of the pivots may, of course, be the same as heretofore described. In all cases, the shape of the members 1, 2, 32 and 33 may be varied to correspond to the parperforated at 52 to receive bolts (not shown) ticular requirements of the installation-as shown in Fig. 3, the member 1 is socketed at 50 to receive a squared end of a shaft (not shown) and the member 2 has a flange 51 whereby it may be secured to an appropriate member; in all cases, also, the oil contained in'the passages is thrown outwardly by centrifugal force, and maintains a constant lubrication of the bearingsurfaces. It will be seen that the expensive dust excluding casings, at present largely used, are dispensed with.

Many changes, other than those noted, may obviously be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of m invention; for example, while tubular bushings are shown throughout, roller, ball or other anti-friction bearings may obviously be substituted therefor. I do not, therefore, wish to be limited otherwise than as indicated by the subjoined claims.

I claim 1. The process of forming pivotal joints which consists in casting the two members to be joined in one piece, separating the members from one another by cutting an annular projections, and inserting bearings in the grooves.

3. The process of forming universal joints which consists in castmg the driving and driven and connecting members to be joined in one piece, separating the members one from another by cutting annular grooves in the casting at points corresponding to the location of the joints between said members and inserting bearings in the grooves.

4. The process of forming universal j oints which consists in casting the driving and driven and connecting members to be j oined in one piece, separating the members one from another by cutting annular grooves in the casting at points corresponding to the location of the joints between said members, the joints of each member being in alinement in pairs and of such cross sections as to preclude the component members from being separated, and inserting bearings in said grooves.

5. The process of formin pivotal joints between two members, one 0 which includes oppositely extending alined transverse projections and the other of which is perforated to receive the projections and is of such crosssection as to preclude the first member from being removed therefrom, which consists in casting the two members to be joined n one piece, separating the members by cutting alined annular grooves in the casting at points corresponding to the location of the pro ections, inserting bearings in the grooves, and sealing the outer ends of the grooves.

6. The process of forming pivotal joints between two members, one of which includes oppositely extending alined transverse projections and the other of which is perforated to receive the projections and is of such cross-section as to preclude the first member from being removed therefrom, which consists m casting the two members to be joined in one plece, separating the members by cut ting alined annular grooves in the casting at points corresponding to the location of the projections, forming an internal passage in one of the members connecting the grooves, said passage being for the reception of lubriiaaaeee cant inserting hearings in the grooves, and

sealing the outer ends of the grooves.

7. The process of formingpivotal joints between two members, one of which includes oppositely extending alined transverse projections and the other of which is perforated to receive the projections and is of such cross-section as to preclude the first member from. being removed therefrom, which consists in casting the two members to be joined in one piece, separating the members b cutting alined annular grooves in the casting at points corresponding to the location of the projections, forming a passage connecting the grooves, said passage being for the reception of lubricant inserting bearings in the grooves, and sealing the outerends of the I ber from being removed therefrom, which consists in forming thetwo members to be joined in one piece, separating the members by cutting alined annular grooves; in the piece at points corresponding to the location of the projections, and inserting bearings in the grooves.

1.0. The process of forming universal joints which consists in forming the driving and driven and connecting members to be joined in one piece, separatingthe members i one from another by cutting annular grooves in the piece at points corresponding to the locationofthe joints between said members and inserting bearings in the grooves.

11. The process of forming universal joints which consists in forming the driving and driven and connecting members to be joined in one piece, separating the members one from another by cutting annular grooves in the piece at points corresponding to the location of the joints between said members,v

the joints of each member being in alinement necting the grooves, said in pairs and of such cross sections as tape-e clude the component members from being grooves.

12. The process of '55} separated, and msertmg hearings in said forming ivotal between two members, one of w ich includes.

oppositely extending alined transverse prof" j ections and the other of. which is perforated.

to receive the projections and is of such cross-section as to preclude the first member from being removed therefrom, which con sists in forming the two members to be oined in one piece, separating the members by cutting alined annular grooves in the piece at points correspondingto the location of the projections, inserting bearings in the grooves, and sealing the outer ends of the grooves.

13. The process of forming pivotal joints between two members, one of which includes oppositely extending alined transverse projections and the other of which is'perforated to receive the projections and is of such cross-section as to preclude the first member g from being removed therefrom, which con} sists in forming the two members to be joined in one piece, separating the members by cutting alined annular grooves in the piece at points corresponding to the location of the projections, forming an internal passage in one of the members connecting the grooves, said passage being for the reception of lubricant inserting bearings in the grooves, and sealing the outer endsof the coves. 14. The process of forming pivotal joints between two members, one of which includes oppositely extending alined transverse projections and the other of which is perforated to receive the projections and is of such cross-section as to preclude the first member from being removed therefrom, which consists in forming the two members to be 'oined in one piece, separating the members y cutting allned annular grooves in the piece at points corresponding to the location of the projections, forming a passage conassa e being for the reception of lubricant inserting hearings in the grooves, and sealing the outer ends of the a cves,

CHARLES L. NEDOMA. 

